CN114364992A

CN114364992A - Current sensor

Info

Publication number: CN114364992A
Application number: CN202080063198.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 汤林波; 托马斯·林登迈尔; 周建武
Original assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG and Co KG
Current assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG and Co KG
Priority date: 2019-09-11
Filing date: 2020-09-04
Publication date: 2022-04-15
Also published as: DE102019124405A1; EP4028782A1; US20220334147A1; WO2021047731A1

Abstract

The two ferromagnetic elements (2) delimit a region (6) for an electrical conductor (4) whose current intensity is to be measured. Each ferromagnetic element (2) has an end face (23). The end faces (23) of the two ferromagnetic elements (2) face each other and delimit an air gap (5). The magnetic field sensor (3) is arranged in the air gap (5) or in the vicinity of the air gap (5). The region (6) delimited by the ferromagnetic element (2) is open on the side opposite the air gap (5) and can thus accommodate the electrical conductor (4). The current strength is measured by magnetic field measurement. The ferromagnetic element (2) may in particular be L-shaped.

Description

Current sensor

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a current sensor for measuring the current intensity in an electrical conductor.

Background

The current sensor itself is widely used. One of the many fields of application to which the invention is not intended to be limited is electric drive systems, for example for motor vehicles. In an electric drive system, a current sensor may be used between or within the power electronics unit and the electric machine; for example, the direct current may be measured at the input of the power electronics unit, or the state of the battery system may be monitored.

Known current sensors have a number of disadvantages; in particular, they are often cumbersome to install and replace, whether originally or during assembly. Current sensors with a toroidal magnetic core are known, for example, from international patent applications WO2013/008205a2 and WO2015/140129a 1. The electrical conductor passes through the toroidal core, and the electrical conductor is thus surrounded by the toroidal core. During assembly, the electrical conductor must be guided through the toroidal core before further installation of the electrical conductor. Such a change or subsequent mounting of the current sensor requires at least partial disassembly of the electrical conductor. In another method, known for example from international application WO2017/130437a1, a magnetic element is mounted from one side of an electrical conductor and a sensor chip comprising evaluation electronics is mounted from the opposite side of the electrical conductor. In this case, it is not necessary to guide the electrical conductor through the sensor, but the electrical conductor must be accessible on both sides. Furthermore, methods are known, for example from international applications WO2016/190087a1 and WO2016/125638a1, in which the current sensor already contains one electrical conductor, which, however, must then be connected to the remaining electrical conductors forming the path for which the current strength should be measured. Further methods, for example disclosed in international applications WO2017/187809a1, WO2018/116852a1 and WO2013/172109a1, each method using a large number of sensor elements on a carrier, some having a plurality of electrical conductors. This method requires a plurality of sensor elements for measuring the current intensity, which results in excessive costs and laborious assembly.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a current sensor which does not have at least some of the above disadvantages. In particular, the current sensor should be easy to assemble and replace.

This object is achieved by a current sensor according to claim 1. The dependent claims contain advantageous further developments. Claim 10 relates to an electrical system with such a current sensor.

The current sensor according to the invention for measuring the current strength in an electrical conductor comprises a magnetic field sensor for determining the current strength by measuring a magnetic field. According to the invention, the current sensor has two ferromagnetic elements, each having an end face. The ferromagnetic element is shaped and arranged in the current sensor in such a way that: on the one hand, the two end faces face each other and delimit an air gap; on the other hand, the two ferromagnetic elements, together with the air gap, delimit a region for the electrical conductor in the plane of the current sensor, which is open on the side opposite the air gap. In this region, an electrical conductor whose current strength is to be measured is accommodated. The above-mentioned plane of the current sensor is oriented in the following manner: the straight conductor, which is correctly accommodated in the current sensor, extends perpendicular to this plane in the region of the current sensor. More precisely, since this region is open to one side, the current sensor can be pushed over the electrical conductor. For this purpose, neither the electrical conductor nor the access from the opposite side is required; therefore, the current sensor can be easily installed or replaced. The two ferromagnetic elements are two separate elements with no ferromagnetic connection between them. This is a fundamental aspect which enables the aforementioned area to be open on one side and thus simplifies assembly. If necessary, the two ferromagnetic elements can be mounted individually one after the other, but they can also be optionally preassembled on the carrier in the correct arrangement with respect to one another.

The two ferromagnetic elements can in particular have the same shape. In the current sensor, the ferromagnetic elements are then arranged mirror-symmetrically to each other in such a way that the end faces delimiting the air gap face each other.

The ferromagnetic element is preferably composed of a laminated magnetic core, which reduces eddy current losses in the ferromagnetic element.

In one embodiment, the two ferromagnetic elements are each L-shaped, each ferromagnetic element having a first leg and a second leg. An end face delimiting the air gap is located on the second leg and a region for the electrical conductor is located between the first legs. The first legs are arranged parallel to each other and point in the same direction. In the above plane, the L-shaped ferromagnetic element defines, together with the air gap, on three sides, a region for the electrical conductor, while the region for the electrical conductor is not limited to the fourth side opposite the air gap. The end faces of the second leg facing each other and delimiting the air gap are preferably plane-parallel to each other and the two L-shaped ferromagnetic elements have the same shape. In the current sensor, the L-shaped ferromagnetic elements are then arranged mirror-symmetrically to each other, wherein the plane of symmetry extends parallel to the end face centrally through the air gap.

Typically, the magnetic field sensor is arranged in or near the air gap in the current sensor. The magnetic field sensor is preferably arranged in one of the following positions: within the air gap; or outside the air gap, between the air gap and a position provided for the electrical conductor; or outside the air gap in such a way that the air gap is located between the magnetic field sensor and the region for the electrical conductor. Known measurement concepts can be used for magnetic field sensors; for example, without limiting the invention, it may be a sensor based on the Hall effect or the magneto-resistive effect such as the giant magneto-resistive (GMR) effect.

In one embodiment, the magnetic field sensor is connected to the circuit board in an electrically conductive manner. Circuitry on the circuit board may be used to control and read out the magnetic field sensor. The circuit board may be arranged in the current sensor in various ways and depending on this and the placement of the magnetic field sensor, electrical connections, e.g. a plurality of pins, may be oriented between the magnetic field sensor and the circuit board. In principle, however, it is also conceivable to connect the magnetic field sensor directly to a higher-level system which does not belong to the current sensor for control and reading purposes.

In one embodiment, the two ferromagnetic elements are arranged on one plane of the circuit board and are preferably fastened to the circuit board. The circuit board has a recess for the electrical conductor.

In another embodiment, two ferromagnetic elements are guided through the circuit board.

The current sensor may be encased in a housing. The housing may have a recess for the electrical conductor. The housing may be manufactured in various known ways. One possibility is to form the housing made of plastic by overmolding the components of the current sensor with plastic.

In one embodiment, the current sensor includes an electrical conductor. The conductor member is arranged to form part of an electrical conductor of which the current strength is to be measured. In a further development, the electrical conductor piece has a reduced cross section in the region between the ferromagnetic elements. This may improve the mechanical stability of the device and result in an increased magnetic flux in the air gap, which improves the accuracy of the measurement.

The electrical system according to the invention has an electrical conductor and is characterized by a current sensor as described above for measuring the current intensity in the electrical conductor of the electrical system. The electrical conductor preferably has a reduced cross section in the region between the ferromagnetic elements of the current sensor. The advantages of the reduced cross-section are as described above. Here, however, the conductor or the section of the conductor in which the reduced cross section is located does not form part of the current sensor. The conductor section with the reduced cross section forms the intended mounting location of the current sensor.

Drawings

The invention and its advantages are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawings.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a current sensor according to the invention and a bus bar.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a current sensor according to the invention and a bus bar.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a current sensor and a bus bar according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a current sensor according to the invention and a bus bar.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a current sensor according to the invention and a bus bar.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a current sensor and a bus bar according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of a current sensor according to the invention and a bus bar.

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a current sensor according to the invention and a bus bar.

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a current sensor and a bus bar according to the present invention.

Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a current sensor and a bus bar according to the present invention.

Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of a current sensor according to the invention.

Fig. 12 shows an embodiment of a current sensor according to the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a current sensor with an integrated conductor according to the present invention.

Fig. 14 shows a side view of the embodiment according to fig. 13.

Fig. 15 shows a variation of the embodiment shown in fig. 14.

Fig. 16 shows the connection of a current sensor according to the invention to a high-level circuit board.

Fig. 17 shows an embodiment of a current sensor according to the invention.

Fig. 18 shows an embodiment of a current sensor according to the invention.

Fig. 19 shows a perspective view of a current sensor according to the present invention.

Fig. 20 shows an embodiment of a current sensor according to the invention.

Fig. 21 shows the connection of a current sensor according to the invention to a high-level circuit board.

Fig. 22 shows three current sensors according to the invention with a common circuit board.

The drawings represent only exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings are not to be construed as limiting the invention to the illustrated exemplary embodiments in any way.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a current sensor 1 according to the invention and a bus bar 4, in this example the bus bar 4 forming an electrical conductor in which the current intensity is to be measured. The two ferromagnetic elements 2 are L-shaped and each have a first leg 21 and a second leg 22. The second leg 22 has in each case an end face 23. The two end faces 23 face each other, defining an air gap 5, in which air gap 5 the magnetic field sensor 3 is arranged. The first leg 21 and the second leg 22 together with the air gap 5 define a region 6 for the electrical conductor 4. It can be seen that the region 6 is open on the side opposite the air gap 5. As already explained, this allows a simple assembly of the current sensor 1. The direction of the current flow through the bus bar 4 is here perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The rectangular cross-section of the electrical conductor 4 does not constitute a limitation of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the current sensor 1 according to the invention and mainly corresponds to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, in which most of the elements shown have been discussed. In contrast to fig. 1, the bus bar 4 is oriented differently in this case with respect to the current sensor 1, and it is clear that the bus bar 4 does not have to be located completely within the region 6 for a cross section of the bus bar 4 in order to measure the current intensity in the bus bar 4. The magnetic field sensor 3 is arranged in the air gap 5. Examples of

alternative positions

31, 32 for the magnetic field sensor are shown in dashed lines. For example, the magnetic field sensor may be located at a position 31 outside the air gap 5 in such a way that the air gap 5 is located between the magnetic field sensor and the area 6. However, the magnetic field sensor may also be located at a position 32 within the region 6 between the air gap 5 and the bus bar 4. These

alternative positions

31, 32 for the magnetic field sensor can of course also be realized in the case of an arrangement of the bus bars 4 as in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a current sensor 1 and a bus bar 4 according to the invention. The direction 100 of current flow through the bus bar 4 is shown. In the case of the ferromagnetic element 2, one of the end faces 23 can be seen; in the air gap 5a magnetic field sensor 3 is arranged, a connection pin 33 for the magnetic field sensor 3 being shown.

Fig. 4 shows a current sensor 1 and a bus bar 4 according to the invention; some of the elements shown have already been discussed with reference to fig. 1. One of the connection pins 33 for the magnetic field sensor 3 is shown, which connects the magnetic field sensor 3 to the circuit board 7 for controlling and reading out the magnetic field sensor 3. The circuit board 7 has one or more connection pins 71 for connection to a high-level system.

Fig. 5 shows a current sensor 1 and a bus bar 4 according to the invention, similar to fig. 4. In contrast to the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the magnetic field sensor 3 is arranged outside the air gap 5.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a current sensor 1 and a bus bar 4 according to the invention. The direction 100 of current flow through the bus bar 4 is shown. The magnetic field sensors 3, which are connected to the circuit board 7 via the connection pins 33, are arranged in the air gap 5 between the ferromagnetic elements 2. The circuit board 7 serves for controlling and reading out the magnetic field sensor 3 and has connection pins 71 for connecting the circuit board 7 to a high-level system.

Fig. 7 shows a current sensor 1 according to the invention with ferromagnetic elements 2 and a magnetic field sensor 3 arranged in an air gap 5 between the ferromagnetic elements 2. In addition, examples of

alternative positions

31, 32 for the magnetic field sensor 3 are indicated by dashed lines. The circuit board 7 for controlling and reading out the magnetic field sensor 3 belongs to the current sensor 1. The ferromagnetic element 2 is arranged here in the plane of the circuit board 7. A recess 72 is provided in the circuit board 7 for the bus bar 4 whose current strength is to be measured. In this exemplary embodiment, the bus bar 4 must be guided through the slit 72 when the current sensor 1 is mounted.

FIG. 8 is an embodiment of a current sensor 1 according to the present invention, generally similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7; in fig. 7, the elements shown have been illustrated. Compared to the embodiment shown in fig. 7, the recess 72 for the bus bar 4 in the circuit board 7 is designed such that the current sensor 1 can be inserted above the bus bar 1, simplifying assembly compared to the embodiment of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in fig. 7. The elements shown have already been described in connection with fig. 7. The direction 100 of current flow is indicated for the bus bar 4. For the magnetic field sensor 3, a connection pin 33 for connection to the circuit board 7 is also shown.

Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a current sensor 1 according to the invention and a bus bar 4, the direction 100 of the current flow being shown for the bus bar 4. The magnetic field sensor 3 is arranged in the air gap 5 between the ferromagnetic elements 2, a connection pin 33 for the magnetic field sensor for connection to a circuit board is shown. The bus bar 4 has a reduced cross section 200 in the region of the current sensor 1.

Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of the current sensor 1 according to the invention, which is a variant of the embodiment shown in fig. 5. Most of the elements shown have been illustrated in fig. 5. The components of the current sensor 1 are enclosed by a housing 8 (shown in dashed lines) and only the connection pins 71 for connecting the circuit board 7 to the high-level system are accessible from outside the housing 8. The housing 8 is designed in the following way: the recess 81 results in an electrical conductor in which the current strength of which is to be measured can be accommodated. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the notch allows the current sensor 1 to be pushed over an electrical conductor.

Fig. 12 shows a modification of the embodiment shown in fig. 11. All of the elements shown have already been described with reference to fig. 11. In contrast to the embodiment shown in fig. 11, the recess 81 in the housing 8 does not allow the current sensor 1 to be subsequently slid onto an electrical conductor, but the electrical conductor has to be guided through the recess 81 during assembly.

Fig. 13 shows an embodiment of the current sensor 1 according to the invention, comprising an integrated conductor 41. Also shown are the ferromagnetic element 2, the magnetic field sensor 3 with connection pins 33 to the circuit board 7 for controlling and reading out the magnetic field sensor 3, and connection pins 71 for connecting the circuit board 7 to a high-level system. The current sensor 1 also has a housing 8 (shown in dashed lines). The integrated conductor 41 can also have a reduced cross section in the region of the ferromagnetic element 2, similar to the illustration in fig. 10 for a bus bar 4 not belonging to the current sensor 1.

Fig. 14 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in fig. 13. The elements shown have already been described in connection with fig. 13. It can be seen that the electrical conductor 41 projects from the housing 8. The electrical conductor 41 can be connected to electrical conductors on both sides to form a conductor path whose current intensity is to be measured.

Fig. 15 shows a side view of a variation of the embodiment shown in fig. 14. The difference from the embodiment shown in fig. 14 is the arrangement of the circuit board 7 relative to the ferromagnetic element 2. This arrangement corresponds to the embodiment shown in fig. 9.

Fig. 16 shows a current sensor 1 according to the invention with a housing 8, which corresponds substantially to the embodiment shown in fig. 11 or 12. The illustrated elements of the current sensor 1 have been described in connection with these figures. The circuit board 7 is connected to the high-level circuit board 300 via the connection pins 71. The bus bar 4 whose current strength is to be measured is shown here in an angled profile. The arrangement of the high-level circuit board 300 with respect to the current sensor 1 and the bus bar 4 is, of course, only an example.

Fig. 17 shows an embodiment of the current sensor 1 according to the invention with a magnetic field sensor 3 in the air gap 5 between the second legs 22 of the ferromagnetic element 2. The magnetic field sensor 3 is connected to the circuit board 7 via connection pins 33, the circuit board 7 having connection pins 71 for connection to a high-level system and being designed to control and read out the magnetic field sensor 3. The bus bar 4 is accommodated in the region 6 between the first legs 21 of the ferromagnetic element 2. In the embodiment shown, the ferromagnetic element 2 penetrates the circuit board 7, more precisely the second leg 22 rests on the circuit board 7, and the first leg 21 passes through the circuit board 7 and extends on the opposite side of the circuit board 7 to the second leg 22.

Fig. 18 shows a variation of the embodiment shown in fig. 17. The elements shown have already been described in connection with fig. 17. In contrast to the embodiment in fig. 17, the magnetic field sensor 3 is arranged outside the air gap 5; further, the second leg 22 is spaced apart from the circuit board 7.

Fig. 19 shows a perspective view of the embodiment shown in fig. 17. The elements shown have been explained to a large extent with reference to fig. 17. The direction 100 of current flow through the bus bar 4 is also shown.

Fig. 20 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in fig. 17. The elements shown have already been described in connection with fig. 17.

Fig. 21 shows an embodiment of the current sensor 1 according to the invention, which corresponds substantially to the embodiment shown in fig. 17. The ferromagnetic element 2 passes through a circuit board 7, which circuit board 7 is used for controlling and reading out the magnetic field sensor 3 (see fig. 17), and is connected to a high-level circuit board 300 via connection pins 71. The current sensor 1 is shown here for measuring the current intensity in a bus bar 4 with an angled profile. The arrangement of the high-level circuit board 300 with respect to the current sensor 1 and the bus bar 4 is, of course, only an example.

Fig. 22 shows an arrangement 400 of three current sensors 1 according to the invention, each of which corresponds here approximately to the embodiment shown in fig. 3. Each current sensor 1 has two L-shaped ferromagnetic elements 2, between which a busbar 4 is shown, the current strength of which is to be measured with the respective current sensor 1. Each current sensor 1 has a magnetic field sensor 3 arranged in the air gap between the respective ferromagnetic elements 2. Each magnetic field sensor 3 is connected via a respective connection pin 33 to a circuit board 7 common to the three current sensors 1 shown. The circuit board 7 is used for controlling and reading out the three magnetic field sensors 3. The circuit board 7 has connection pins 71 for connection to a high-level system. For example, the devices shown herein may be used to measure current in various phases of a multi-phase, particularly three-phase, electrical system.

Description of the reference numerals

1 current sensor 2 ferromagnetic element 3 magnetic field sensor 4 bus bar (electrical conductor) 5 air gap 6 region (for electrical conductor) 7 circuit board (current sensor) 8 housing 21 first leg 22 second leg 23 end face 31 magnetic field sensor (alternative position) 32 magnetic field sensor (alternative position) 33 connection pin (magnetic field sensor) 41 electrical conductor piece 71 connection pin (circuit board) 72 notch (in circuit board) 81 notch (in housing) 100 direction (current flow) 200 reduced cross section (bus bar) 300 high layer circuit board 400 device.

Claims

1. A current sensor (1) for measuring the current intensity in an electrical conductor (4), the current sensor (1) comprising:

a magnetic field sensor (3),

the current sensor (1) is characterized in that:

two ferromagnetic elements (2), each having an end face (23) shaped and arranged in the following manner:

the two end faces (23) facing each other and delimiting an air gap (5), and

the two ferromagnetic elements (2) together with the air gap (5) define a region (6) for the electrical conductor (4) in the plane of the current sensor (1), the region (6) being open on the side opposite the air gap (5).

2. The current sensor (1) according to claim 1, wherein the two ferromagnetic elements (2) are each designed in an L-shape with a first leg (21) and a second leg (22), the end face (23) delimiting the air gap (5) being on the second leg (22), and the region (6) for the electrical conductor (4) being located between the first legs (21).

3. The current sensor (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the magnetic field sensor (3) is arranged in one of the following positions:

within the air gap (5); or

Outside the air gap (5), between the air gap (5) and a position provided for the electrical conductor (4); or

Outside the air gap (5), such that the air gap (5) is located between the magnetic field sensor (3) and the region (6) for the electrical conductor (4).

4. Current sensor (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the magnetic field sensor (3) is connected to a circuit board (7) in an electrically conductive manner.

5. The current sensor (1) according to claim 4, wherein the two ferromagnetic elements (2) are arranged on one plane of the circuit board (7) and the circuit board (7) has a recess (72) for the electrical conductor (4).

6. The current sensor (1) according to claim 4, wherein the two ferromagnetic elements (2) are guided through the circuit board (7).

7. The current sensor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the current sensor (1) is encased in a housing (8).

8. The current sensor (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the current sensor (1) comprises an electrical conductor (41), the electrical conductor (41) being arranged to form part of the electrical conductor (4).

9. Current sensor (1) according to claim 8, wherein the electrical conductor (41) has a reduced cross section (200) in the region between the ferromagnetic elements (2).

10. An electrical system with an electrical conductor (4),

characterized by an electric current sensor (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7 for measuring the current intensity in the electric conductor (4) of the electric system, wherein the electric conductor (4) has a reduced cross section (200) in the region between the ferromagnetic elements (2) of the electric current sensor (1).